FBOs are key to remedying societal ills

11 April 2016

 

The City of Johannesburg had long realised the critical role faith-based organisations (FBOs) played in social development and cohesion, Member of Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development Councillor Nonceba Molwele said at the weekend.

Speaking at a meeting to launch an FBO in the City’s Region F on Friday April 8, MMC Molwele said faith-based leaders were among the City’s key partners as they were at the cutting edge of society.

 

Among those present at the meeting, held at the CJ Cronje Building in the Johannesburg city centre, were councillors Phineas Madisha and Nokuthula Xaba, members of the Inner City Women’s Forum, Young Religious Leaders and the Lesbian Gay and Bisexual Community. Region F consists of areas such as Johannesburg inner city, Braamfontein, Hillbrow, Yeoville, Jeppestown, Denver, Doornfontein, Cleveland, Fordsburg, Rosettenville, Bassonia, Mulbarton, Bellevue, Turffontein, Diepkloof Extension 10, Glenvista, Kensington, Meredale, Naturena and Robertsham.

MMC Molwele said although a citywide FBO was already in existence in Johannesburg – having been established in 2014 – it was imperative that all the City’s seven regions have their own FBO.

“Experience has taught us that the City cannot govern on its own. Faith-based leaders are an indispensable cog in the running of a municipality as they are always the first point of contact with communities,” MMC Molwele said.

She said whenever there were disasters, councillors would need to be accompanied by faith-based leaders when they wanted to go and commiserate with affected families.

“We as councillors also need divine intervention in our work. It’s not as easy as some would think it is,” she said.

MMC Molwele added, however, that other faith leaders needed to wise up to the challenges facing their congregants and communities.

“You cannot stand behind the pulpit and preach love without knowing what problems your congregants are facing. You cannot preach love and tolerance to someone whose stomach is rumbling with hunger,” she said.

Flanked by leaders of different faiths, MMC Molwele said the reason for the establishment of an FBO was to enhance the way the City dealt with social ills. She said FBOs were crucial in moral regeneration and inculcation of values such as caring and love. The launch did not, however, go according to plan as some of the organisations were not represented. Cllr Molwele emphasised the need for “complete inclusivity”.

A task team was set up to ensure every religious sector was included before the formation of the regional FBO. Region F Stakeholder Relations Director Shaun O’Shea said a meeting would soon be called to take the process forward. A follow-up meeting would be held within the next three months.